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-   -   Leaky S8 lumbar support - can it be fixed? (https://forum.a8parts.co.uk/showthread.php?t=10413)

HPsauce 12th August 2015 01:47 PM

Leaky S8 lumbar support - can it be fixed?
 
It's beginning to annoy me that the lumbar supports in both my front seats (S8 Recaro Sports seats) deflate fairly quickly.

Having just read a thread on another forum about fixing a different design of Audi-fitted Recaro it has spurred me into investigative mode.
That seat was fixed fairly easily by dismantling the seat, removing the pump unit and sealing a crack that had developed in the plastic body at a connection point. I'm thinking that the S8 seats may use basically the same pump and have the same problem.

So does anyone have any idea how to get into these big heavy beasts (ideally in situ) in such a way that they can be reassembled afterwards?

Goran 12th August 2015 02:35 PM

The only way I can think of getting to the lumbar support air cushion and pump is to remove the sear pad, and then remove the middle backrest insert. Both are only hooked/velcroed on but the hooks are really difficult to get to.
This thread has some pictures.
I would remove the middle seat pad insert first, then the middle backrest insert (hardest).

I forgot, the inner seat cushion is zipped at the back to the backrest outer leather (the one with side bolsters).
This zip is secured at either end by big staples which have to be removed, it is a bit tricky to unzip.

http://forum.a8parts.co.uk/showthread.php?t=6302

HPsauce 12th August 2015 02:48 PM

I even posted in that thread, but forgot! :o

The_Laird 12th August 2015 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HPsauce (Post 98083)
I even posted in that thread, but forgot! :o

Welcome to my world! :o

Duffy 15th August 2015 09:45 AM

I had this done on my D2 S8 in my first week of ownership.

There was no way of doing this in situ. On the bench it appeared relatively straightforward to strip it down and replace the cracked connection block. The part number for that was 4D0959931 and it was 3 hours labour to fit.

IT 17th August 2015 01:33 PM

My first ever A8 had this fix done under warranty too, but it was a seat out job for sure....

I concur with your annoyance.

Its quite a rare occurrence for the seat to fail, might be worth considering a whole replacement drivers seat for ease of fix, or even buy a cheap crappy one to practise dismantling first.... +++

HPsauce 24th January 2018 05:00 PM

Resurrecting an old thread, I've been rummaging around online and identified the likely culprit, it's a unit with part number 4D0 959 931.

I've found a source of supply in the USA and have ordered one - new but at a "reasonable" price. When the weather improves I'll see if I can get enough access to fit it!

This is the little beastie revealed inside a seat:
https://nordicaudi.com/php/files/896135-DSC00286.JPG
Next stop, Google translate, it's on a Swedish web site...... ;)

David's8 24th January 2018 06:40 PM

Interesting Andrew. This assumes, I suppose, that the leak is in the pump unit and not the "inflating bag"?

HPsauce 24th January 2018 08:03 PM

2 Attachment(s)
There are two bags so it seems more likely it's the controller/pump at fault, online comments from people who have repaired various A8/S8 seats seem to confirm that.

I've no idea how I'll get to it though, from various sources I'm pretty sure it's high up in the back of the seat, on the opposite side to the headrest motor.
Looking at the seats it would appear that you have to lift the leather back cover off upwards somehow, or unstitch it at the back.

In Goran's old thread I think it's all wrapped up in foam so not at all obvious. http://forum.a8parts.co.uk/showthread.php?t=6302
I think it's behind the grey foam I've circled in this picture, or just to the right of it pointed to in the second picture:

HPsauce 25th January 2018 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IT (Post 98260)
or even buy a cheap crappy one to practise dismantling first.... +++

That's a good idea.
I've had a very quick look in my Bentley manual but haven't yet found out what the exact process is, had to waste time updating the Virtual Machine software first due to Windows 10 "issues" so ran out of time. :tuttut:
Though that's a US-produced reference so did they actually have these specific seats?


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